1. Toni announces that a $5.5 million dollar grant from the Heart Foundation was given to Mercy/Memorial.  The award will be acknowledged via a naming ceremony launching "Heart Tower" at the hospital. 

 

2. Larry Reider explains that the Business and Ethics Conference is back with keynote speaker Lyle Martin. It will be held on March 14 at Hodels. All are encouraged to sign up as it is a great event to promote mentorships for young professionals. 

 

3.  Joe Hay has returned from the Rotary President-Elect meeting. He announced that an area some Rotaries struggle with is their newsletter.  Joe states that he is proud of Downtown's "Spoke" and noted that our model is one of excellence. The other Rotaries were impressed.

 

4. Randy Saunders reports that the Boy Scouts will celebrate their 113th birthday by hosting their "Distinguished Citizen's Dinner" on February 23. Sponsorships are available. 

 

5. Jim acknowledges two Rotarians recovering from surgery: Joe Hay - reconstructive knee and Ken Burman - back.  Speedy recovery to both! 

 

6.  Kern County all-Rotary club meeting is March 2 at CTEC.

 

 

8. HUGE Rotary party on March 10 at Stockdale Country Club (black-tie optional).  Purchase your tickets today!

 

9. CSUB Fab Lab will offer a presentation on March 16 to drive memberships for Rotaract. 

 

Sheryl Barbich traveled to Patagonia and Argentina where she hiked, rode horses, and interacted with the local people and culture while ensuring that she wore her Rotary pin.  

 

Jim Damian celebrated Valentine's Day by taking his daughter, Ruby, and her friends to a Golden State Warriors basketball game. That evening, a winter storm closed both the Grapevine and 58, ultimately leaving Jim and the girls stuck in Mojave. As a result, Jim and his party were treated to luxurious rooms at Mojave's Motel 6. 

 

Justin Salters introduces Justin Powers from Kernville CoWork. Powers is 7th generation Kernvillian and has created Eastern Kern County's first cowork space. The space offers professionals working in Kernville an office space while lending itself to networking, entrepreneurial, and leadership programs.  Kernvile CoWork has worked to build collaborative business relations within the community while offering a creative space for entrepreneurs. Kernville CoWork is a membership model business that promotes a lifestyle of "work where you play", noting that Kernville offers not only a dynamic business community but also excellent recreation opportunities.